Blue-and-white porcelain, as a representative of traditional Chinese craftsmanship, embodies rich cultural genes and possesses significant research value. Against the backdrop of the generative AI era, this study aims to optimize the creative processes of blue-and-white porcelain to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of complex artistic innovations. Traditional methods of crafting blue-and-white porcelain encounter challenges in accurately and efficiently constructing intricate patterns. This research employs grounded theory in conjunction with the KANO-AHP hybrid model to classify and quantify the core esthetic features of blue-and-white porcelain, thereby establishing a multidimensional esthetic feature library of its patterns. Subsequently, leveraging the Stable Diffusion platform and utilizing Low-Rank Adaptation (LoRA) technology, a generative artificial intelligence (AIGC)-assisted workflow was proposed, capable of accurately restoring and innovating blue-and-white porcelain patterns. This workflow enhances the efficiency and precision of pattern innovation while maintaining consistency with the original artistic style. Finally, by integrating principles of sustainable design, this study explores new pathways for digital innovation in blue-and-white porcelain design, offering viable solutions for the contemporary reinvention of traditional crafts. The results indicate that AIGC technology effectively facilitates the integration of traditional and modern design approaches. It not only empowers the inheritance and continuation of the cultural genes of blue-and-white porcelain but also introduces new ideas and possibilities for the sustainable development of traditional craftsmanship.

With the rapid proliferation of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AIGC) technologies in higher education, identifying effective integration pathways into design curricula has become a pressing issue in the field of educational technology. This study employs a mixed-methods approach grounded in the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework, incorporating course analysis, questionnaire surveys, structural path modeling, and interview analysis. Focusing on both instructors and students, this research systematically investigates the acceptance, integration mechanisms, and sustainable development potential of AIGC in university-level design education. The findings indicate that students generally acknowledge the value of AIGC in enhancing creativity and improving efficiency, although gaps persist in their understanding of ethical considerations and original expression. On the teachers’ side, technological knowledge exerts a significant positive influence on the integration of content knowledge, while the impact of pedagogical knowledge remains underutilized. Interview data further reveal a structural tension within current teaching practices, characterized by the rapid adoption of technological tools contrasted with the slower evolution of pedagogical systems. Based on these insights, this study offers five strategic recommendations for sustainable teaching, including the development of teacher training systems, curriculum module design, student media literacy enhancement, and pedagogical reconstruction aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These findings provide both theoretical and practical contributions to the effective and sustainable integration of AIGC into higher design education.

The potential of serious games to improve students' engagement and knowledge retention in design historical education has gained significant attention in recent years. This study proposes a learning strategy integrating AI virtual characters into a role-playing serious game designed to teach design history. Utilizing the Arts and Crafts Movement as the narrative foundation, the game employs AI-driven characters to provide adaptive guidance, interactive storytelling, and personalized feedback. A quasi-experimental design was adopted with two groups of college students (N = 60): an experimental group using the AI-supported game and a control group playing the same game without AI integration. Results show that the inclusion of AI virtual characters significantly enhances students' engagement and knowledge acquisition compared to the traditional game. These findings highlight the potential of AI-powered serious games to transform historical education by fostering active participation and deep learning.

Blue-and-white porcelain patterns embody rich symbolic meanings and play a pivotal role in the transmission of Chinese intangible cultural heritage. However, their contemporary application often faces challenges due to complex visual forms and contextual interpretations. This study adopts a semiotic perspective to reinterpret blue-and-white porcelain motifs as cultural heritage symbols, aiming to assess their potential for sustainable preservation and modern revitalization. A hybrid evaluation framework is proposed, combining Grey System Theory and the Fuzzy Evaluation Method to quantitatively analyze 40 representative patterns across five key dimensions: cultural symbolism, esthetic value, communicative potential, modern applicability, and sustainability. Data were collected from expert panels, public surveys, and market performance, with the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) employed to determine the relative importance of each dimension. The results reveal that plant and geometric patterns exhibit high adaptability and symbolic clarity, making them ideal for reinterpretation in modern design. Conversely, complex narrative and animal-based motifs demonstrate weaker performance in communicative efficiency and sustainability, indicating the need for visual simplification and semantic transformation. This study provides a theoretical and methodological foundation for the revitalization of traditional porcelain heritage in contemporary design practice, contributing to the global dissemination and sustainable development of cultural heritage symbols.

This study systematically evaluates ten historical cultural symbols in the brand image design of Xuzhou City based on Grey System Theory and Fuzzy Evaluation Method, revealing their significance and distinctions within city branding. First, Grey System Theory is applied to rank these symbols, establishing their prioritization in the brand design process. Subsequently, Fuzzy Evaluation Method is employed to perform a comprehensive analysis of each symbol across five dimensions: visual appeal, cultural heritage, brand recognizability, public acceptance, and sustainability. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) is used to set weights for each dimension, ensuring a scientific and reasonable evaluation. Results indicate that Xuzhou’s ancient city wall and the culture of Xiang Yu excel in visual appeal and sustainability, while symbols like Pengzu culture show relatively lower public acceptance. Targeted recommendations are proposed based on these findings. This study provides a quantitative basis for Xuzhou’s city brand design and suggests a greater emphasis on the sustainability and adaptability of cultural symbols in future city branding efforts.

In recent years, the application of augmented reality digital technology in brands has transformed the way consumers interact with brands. This study focuses on the impact of augmented reality (AR) technology on consumption behavior and brand communication related to intangible cultural heritage products, integrating the TAM and UTAUT2 theories to construct a research model. This study employed a time–location sampling method, utilizing SPSS and AMOS software for data analysis based on valid questionnaires completed by 305 AR-experiencing consumers in Changsha City, Hunan Province. Results indicate that the presence and novelty of AR technology significantly and positively influence consumers’ attitudes toward using AR technology, which in turn affects their purchase intent, social media sharing behavior, and brand attitudes. The study confirms that emotional factors and consumer perceptions play a guiding and decisive role in the new consumption reality enabled by AR technology. These research findings have practical significance and value for ICH brand building and AR marketing, demonstrating that AR is an effective means to enhance the visibility and influence of the ICH brand. They inject new vitality into promoting more sustainable ICH protection and popularization, as well as the development of the digital creative industry.